I’m graduating from high school this week and I simply cannot believe how fast these past few years flew by. Just yesterday I was entering through the doors of the old high school as a Freshman. I sat down in my checkered dress and thought about how hard I would have to work the next four years in order to graduate. An assembly was held and we were told how to schedule our classes in order to be successful. I looked around at new faces, new friends, and a brand new door of possibility. How on earth was that almost four years ago?
Looking back, I feel like my high school experience was stolen. I only attended one and a half years in-person before COVID-19 hit. After that, I started college during my Junior and Senior years of high school so that I could graduate with my associates degree while graduating from high school with my high school diploma.
Although high school didn’t go as planned, I’m glad it didn’t go as planned because otherwise I wouldn’t be writing this blog post right now. So much changed for me these last few years, but they have shaped me into who God is calling me to become.
So yes, this is my graduation letter. This letter is to let anyone reading this know that dreams can occur before chapter one is finished.
My childhood may be coming to a close. I may be moving away from friends and family as well as away from constants I’ve always known to be there. But I’m also about to embark on an adventure. I’m about to leave everything behind to go after my dreams. This change is scary. But what I’ve learned from the past few months is that being stuck in the waiting is the scariest part. Being forced to watch chapter one close on you as you try and open chapter two is a very nerve-wracking time. However, I’ve learned a lot just by being placed in a season of transitions and waiting.
I know that I am capable of braving the unknown. I’ve done it before. I know that this coming year is going to be one of the most difficult and terrifying of my life, but I’m ready for it. There may be times when all I want to do is crawl back into the arms of safety. But there will also be times when I feel like I am pursing my calling and I will experience God-given jubilee.
I want to grow and push myself. I want to become the best version of myself that I can become. And I know if I continue to lean into God, I will get there.
To my parents: You have given me the best childhood I could have ever asked for. You have given 110% of yourselves every single day. You didn’t have to go above and beyond, but you chose to. You chose to be there, to provide, and to be the first ones to believe in me. You supported everything I ran after. You loved me and mirrored what it was like to have a healthy marriage and a healthy relationship. You introduced me to God and encouraged me in my faith. You gave me a love for adventure, a desire to love others, and you showed me why life is good. I wouldn’t be where I am without you both. You are my hero’s and I love you to the moon & back.
For everyone else: I want to be remembered as a person who tried. I tried and I failed. But everyone has a season of failure before a season of success. I hope that you are able to recognize that there is a next chapter for you too. Maybe you aren’t there yet, but I believe that your story is far from over. I believe that we all have the ability to grow and to become better. I hope that as I embark on my next chapter that you will continue with me. As long as we are doing life together, we will make it to chapter three.
With Love,
Emily
EMILY DICKINSON 